No Street Parking Until Friday, ELPS Closed Again on Thursday: Winter Storm Updates
City Manager George Lahanas has declared a snow emergency for East Lansing in anticipation of the winter storm expected to dump several inches of snow in mid-Michigan over the next 48 hours. Lahanas made this move “with consent from East Lansing Mayor Ron Bacon,” according a City of East Lansing press release.
Correspondingly, street parking in the City is temporarily prohibited during the snow emergency, which will run from 6 a.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 2) to 6 a.m. on Friday (Feb. 4), according to a Nixle public safety alert. This is to aid in more effective snow plowing operations for East Lansing Department of Public Works crews. Gated lots and parking garages will remain open for parking.
The alert also noted that DPW crews will be working “around the clock” to keep roads clear, first focusing on major thoroughfares before clearing side streets and neighborhoods. Residents are also reminded that they are obligated to clear snow from their sidewalks in a timely manner after snowfall, per the City’s snow removal ordinance.
“Snow that accumulates before noon on a sidewalk must be cleared by midnight the same day and snow that accumulates after noon on a sidewalk must be cleared by midnight of the following day. For snow showers that occur on more than one consecutive day, snow must be cleared by the above stated times or within 48 hours after the first snowfall began, whichever is sooner. Ice should be cleared or an abrasive (salt, sand, etc.) should be applied within 12 hours of formation,” according to the alert.
An alert from Ingham County that went out to subscribers on Jan. 31 reminded residents that the accumulated snow may be heavy to lift, which can put strain on the heart. The alert advised those shoveling to stay hydrated and take breaks as necessary.
Sign up for Nixle public safety updates here — there may be more from the City or local authorities as this storm progresses — and keep checking this page for more updates if they become necessary.
UPDATE [Feb. 1, 2022 at 7:40 p.m.]: East Lansing Public Schools Superintendent Dori Leyko announced that district schools would be closed on Wed., Feb. 2 due to the predicted snowfall and adverse road conditions.
UPDATE [Feb. 2, 2022 at 9:55 a.m.]: The City announced via a Facebook post that DPW crews are addressing a water main break, after already addressing one overnight. ELi has inquired with the City for more information.
The update also noted that snow plows will continue to focus on major streets throughout the day as the snow continues: “It’s expected that the larger plows will stay primarily on major streets throughout the day to keep them open and passable, with smaller plows pushing snow from local streets that intersect with major streets to keep those open as well. It’s expected that crews will transition to local streets sometime in the early morning hours, with some passes on local streets possible late today or overnight. Avoiding unnecessary travel is advised.”
UPDATE [Feb. 2, 2022 at 10:20 a.m.]: The City announced via a press release that the East Lansing Public Library and East Lansing Prime Time are closed today, and the Hannah Community Center will close early at noon today. The 54B District Court is operating remotely. City Hall remains open, but it is possible that an early closure will be announced, according to the press release.
UPDATE [Feb. 2, 2022 at 8:25 p.m.]: East Lansing Public Schools will remain closed tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 3. The East Lansing Public Library will open at 12 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 3.
UPDATE [Feb. 3, 2022 at 9:05 a.m.]: East Lansing’s 54B District Court will continue to operate remotely today. The City is also reporting a water main break on Grand River Avenue, east of Hagadorn Road. Traffic will shift to one lane on westbound Grand River Avenue as DPW crews work to fix the issue.